The complete mitochondrial genome of the Japanese mud shrimp Upogebia major (Crustacea, Decapoda)

We determined a full-length sequence of mitochondrial (mt) genome from Upogebia major. This is the first complete mt genome report for infraorder Thalassinidea in Decapoda, Crustacea. Our result showed that U. major generally followed a typical pancrustacean gene order but some tRNA genes showed a very unique gene arrangement such as duplication or translocation. Since none of the complete mt genome sequences in the infraorder Thalassinidea are available yet, this report will provide additional information in relation to mt genome diversity and evolution of the decapods.     

Growth dynamics of the barfin plaice <Emphasis Type="Italic">Liopsetta pinnifasciata</Emphasis> (Pleuronectidae) in Peter the Great Bay (Sea of Japan)

Dynamics of the linear sizes of the barfin plaice Liopsetta pinnifasciata has been considered during the life cycle. Two stages are distinguished: an intensive initial growth (35.9% of the maximum length for 6.0% of the life) and its subsequent gradual variation. The linear growth rate is shown to correspond to the rate of sclerite formation on the scales.     

Growth of young Pacific herring <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clupea pallasii</Emphasis> of Peter the Great Bay (Sea of Japan)

The growth of Pacific herring Clupea pallasii in Peter the Great Bay (Sea of Japan) during the first year of life is followed based on long-term data (from 1999 to 2014). The first vegetation season is characterized by periodical changes of the growth rate and body size variation. Over the period of investigation, a relationship between the growth rate and abundance of Pacific herring at the age 0+ is not detected. In the first year of life, the groups of fishes with a slow and fast growth rate are registered. They possess similar trends of growth but differ in the increment size and intensity of the growth in the fall.     

Two new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leptosagitta</Emphasis> (Chaetognatha) from Vityaz Bay (Peter the Great Bay in the Sea of Japan)

New species of Leptosagitta (L. laxoradiata sp. n. and L. nitida sp. n.) from Vityaz Bay (Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan) are described and shown in figures.     

Seasonal Distribution of Antlered Sculpin, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Enophrys diceraus</Emphasis> (Cottidae) in Peter the Great Bay,Sea of Japan

The antlered sculpin Enophrys diceraus in Peter the Great Bay is found to inhabit from shallow waters to depths deeper than 600 m. The range of depth where this species occurs is the narrowest, from 12 to 250 m deep, in summer. The greatest depths of inhabitation are characteristic, in all seasons, only of adult fish of this species. In the cold period of the year, the young probably avoid the upper part of the shelf where the temperatures have cooled down to negative numbers. Spawning in the antlered sculpin begins in the second half of November. Females dominate the population of this species inhabiting Peter the Great Bay. Males reach 38 cm long and more; females can be up to 31 cm long. The greatest density of antlered sculpin in the summer period on the preferred substrates is observed in the western part of the bay, primarily on sandy ground.     

Epibiotic macroalgae on the scallop <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mizuhopecten yessoensis</Emphasis> in Peter the Great Bay,Sea of Japan

The composition and structure of the epibiotic flora of the Japanese scallop Mizuhopecten yessoensis were studied on the basis of data from long-term (1979 to 2007) observations on the scallop beds in Peter the Great Bay (Sea of Japan). In all, 52 species of macroalgae belonging to three phyla were found on the scallop shells; 3 species were new records for the benthic flora of the area studied. Red algae constituted the bulk of the species richness of algal epibionts; brown algae were represented by the lowest number of species. Species of Chlorophyta predominated in terms of biomass; species of Rhodophyta were found in lower numbers. The main form of the thallus of epibiotic algae was bushy or filamentous. The ratio of common to rare species was 30 : 70. As compared to the benthic flora, the epibiotic flora on the scallop shells was characterized by a greater number of warm-water species.     

Seasonal and interannual dynamics of larval abundance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mytilus coruscus</Emphasis> Gould, 1861 (Bivalvia: Mytilidae) in Amursky Bay (Peter the Great Bay,Sea of Japan)

Based on an analysis of the gonads, as well as the size composition and abundance of larvae in plankton, we determined the seasonal and long-term dynamics of the reproduction of the mussel Mytilus coruscus in Amursky Bay (Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan). Mussel gonads were in a mature condition in late July-early August; the spawning season continued from mid-August to mid-September. The larvae of this species occurred in plankton from June to September, under surface water temperatures of 14.5–23.5°C. The density of larvae in different years varied from 350 to 4500 ind/m³. Two peaks of larval abundance were observed annually, in June and September. The first peak was apparently provided by allochthonous larvae, the second, by larvae of the local population. The high density of larvae of M. coruscus in the plankton of Peter the Great Bay enabled us to consider this species as a potential object for mariculture.     

Karyotype of the Snow Sculpin <Emphasis Type="Italic">Myoxocephalus brandti</Emphasis> Steindachner (Cottidae) from Peter the Great Bay,Sea of Japan

The karyotype of the snow sculpin Myoxocephalus brandti, 2n = 44, NF = 46, from Peter the Great Bay was studied. Two-armed chromosomes were presented by one pair of metacentric chromosomes of medium size; one-armed chromosomes included two pairs of large subtelocentric chromosomes and a pair of large acrocentric chromosomes. Ag-NOR-staining in the telomere vicinity revealed nucleolus-organizing regions in one metacentric chromosome and in one medium size acrocentric chromosome in one of the fishes, in two homological small acrocentric chromosomes in three fishes, and in one acrocentric chromosome of average size in six fishes. No difference between the male and female karyotypes and any type of variability was revealed. The karyotypes of the snow sculpin M. brandti and the frog sculpin M. stelleri were compared. Their distinctions and similarities were displayed.Original Russian Text Copyright ¢ 2005 by Biologiya Morya, Ryazanova.     

Karyotype of the sculpin <Emphasis Type="Italic">Myoxocephalus jaok</Emphasis> (Pisces: Cottidae) from Peter the Great Bay,Sea of Japan

The karyotype of the sculpin Myoxocephalus jaok from the Ussuriisky, Amursky, and Vostok Bays was studied. It was found that 2n = 24, among the chromosomes there were 16 metacentric, 4 submetacentric, and 4 acrocentric, NF = 44. There was no variation in the number of chromosomes, and no differences between male and female karyotypes were revealed. A comparison of Myoxocephalus jaok, M. brandti and M. stelleri karyotypes was performed. The pronounced distinction of Myoxocephalus jaok karyotype resulting from chromosomal rearrangements was shown.     

Characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vibrio gigantis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vibrio pomeroyi</Emphasis> isolated from invertebrates of Peter the Great Bay,Sea of Japan

Previously unknown associations of Vibrio gigantis with the trepang Apostichopus japonicus and of V. pomeroyi with the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus nudus were described in Vostok Bay of Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan. Bacterial isolates were identified based on their morphological, cultural and biochemical characteristics, as well as by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Strain 915 (V. gigantis) was found to possess amylase, gelatinase, chitinase, pustulanase, glucosidase, galactosidase, and alginase, while strain 929 (V. pomeroyi) possessed amylase, gelatinase, chitinase, and fucoidanase. S. nudus and A. japonicus probably provide favorable niches for V. gigantis and V. pomeroyi and act as natural reservoirs for these bacteria in Peter the Great Bay. The broad spectrum of enzymes in associated vibrios suggests their role in food digestion of the above marine invertebrates.     

Proteasome properties of hemocytes differ between the whiteleg shrimp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penaeus vannamei</Emphasis> and the brown shrimp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crangon crangon</Emphasis> (Crustacea,Decapoda)

Crustaceans are intensively farmed in aquaculture facilities where they are vulnerable to parasites, bacteria, or viruses, often severely compromising the rearing success. The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is crucial for the maintenance of cellular integrity. Analogous to higher vertebrates, the UPS of crustaceans may also play an important role in stress resistance and pathogen defense. We studied the general properties of the proteasome system in the hemocytes of the whiteleg shrimp, Penaeus vannamei, and the European brown shrimp Crangon crangon. The 20S proteasome was the predominant proteasome population in the hemocytes of both species. The specific activities of the trypsin-like (Try-like), chymotrypsin-like (Chy-like), and caspase-like (Cas-like) enzymes of the shrimp proteasome differed between species. P. vannamei exhibited a higher ratio of Try-like to Chy-like activities and Cas-like to Chy-like activities than C. crangon. Notably, the Chy-like activity of P. vannamei showed substrate or product inhibition at concentrations of more than 25 mmol L^?1. The K _M values ranged from 0.072 mmol L^?1 for the Try-like activity of P. vannamei to 0.309 mmol L^?1 for the Cas-like activity of C. crangon. Inhibition of the proteasome of P. vannamei by proteasome inhibitors was stronger than in C. crangon. The pH profiles were similar in both species. The Try-like, Chy-like, and Cas-like sites showed the highest activities between pH 7.5 and 8.5. The proteasomes of both species were sensitive against repeated freezing and thawing losing ~80–90% of activity. This study forms the basis for future investigations on the shrimp response against infectious diseases, and the role of the UPS therein.     

The Distribution of the Greenland Smooth Cockle <Emphasis Type="Italic">Serripes groenlandicus</Emphasis> (Bivalvia,Cardiidae) in Peter the Great Bay,Sea of Japan

The spatial and bathymetric distribution of the Greenland smooth cockle, Serripes groenlandicus, in Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan has been studied based on the data of three dredge surveys conducted in 2010–2012. The bathymetric range of the species habitat is 20–75 m; the densest aggregations are associated with sandy silt sediments in the central part of the bay at depths of 55–60 m. The surveyed area of S. groenlandicus aggregation is 2255 km²; the total area is believed to be 3430 km². The estimated total species biomass averages 8731 t, ranging within 8538–9831 t.     

First Record of Tropical Crabs <Emphasis Type="Italic">Portunus sanguinolentus</Emphasis> (Herbst, 1783) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plagusia depressa tuberculata</Emphasis> Lamarck, 1818 in Peter the Great Bay,Sea of Japan

Crabs Portunus sanguinolentus (Herbst, 1783) and Plagusia depressa tuberculata Lamarck, 1818 were found in Peter the Great Bay (Sea of Japan) on a drifting buoy. The occurrence of the members of tropical fauna along the coast of Primorye was due, in all likelihood, to the enlargement of the amount of anthropogenic garbage transported with sea currents that serves as a substrate for settlement of different marine organisms.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Biologiya Morya, Kepel, Tsareva.     

The morphology and seasonal dynamics of the potentially toxic microalga <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prorocentrum foraminosum</Emphasis> Faust 1993 (Dinophyta) in Peter the Great Bay,the Sea of Japan

The morphology of the potentially toxic dinoflagellate Prorocentrum foraminosum was examined in detail using light and scanning electron microscopy for the first time for the seas of Russia. New morphological features of this species were found and documented. Long-term observations showed that P. foraminosum occurred regularly from April to November in the epiphytic assemblages of Peter the Great Bay. The highest cell abundance was recorded in June (1.5 × 10³ cells/g macrophyte dry weight). This dinoflagellate was also found rarely at a low cell densities in coastal sands.     

On the introduction of the ascidian <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ciona savignyi</Emphasis> Herdman, 1882 into Peter the Great Bay,Sea of Japan

The occurrence of the solitary ascidian Ciona savignyi Herdman, 1882 in Vostok Bay (Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan) was first documented in 2004. Adult specimens occurred in fouling communities of floating docks in Gaidamak Bay and on different anthropogenic substrates. The introduction of this ascidian into Vostok Bay is attributable to fishing ships which regularly frequent ports of Japan and to favorable environmental conditions (temperature and salinity of seawater).     

The Abundance and Distribution of the Great Cormorant, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phalacrocorax carbo carbo</Emphasis> (Linnaeus, 1758), in Peter the Great Bay,Sea of Japan

The recent data on the breeding abundance and distribution of the great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo (Linnaeus, 1758), on the Peter the Great Bay coast, Sea of Japan, are provided. A total of 1715 inhabited nests have been recorded, including 1255 nests on Furugelm Island and 460 nests on Lisii Island.     

Mycobiota of the giant oyster <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crassostrea gigas</Emphasis> (Thunberg, 1787) (Bivalvia) from the Peter the Great Bay of the Sea of Japan

Mycological investigation of the Pacific (giant) oyster Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg, 1793) (Bivalvia) from the Peter the Great Bay of the Sea of Japan was carried out. The taxonomic composition of filamentous fungi associated with C. gigas was studied. The taxonomic composition of the fungi associated with the giant oyster included 22 species of filamentous fungi of which 17 species were identified. The latter belonged to six genera: Alternaria, Aspergillus, Botrytis, Fusarium, Penicillium, and Trichoderma. The distribution of filamentous fungi in the internal organs of the bivalve mollusk was studied.     

Peculiarities of early ontogenesis of the tubenose poacher, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pallasina barbata</Emphasis> steindachner, 1876 (Pisces,Agonidae) from Peter the Great Bay (Sea of Japan)

Based on the analysis of original material (52 specimens of Pallasina barbata larvae and juveniles), sampled in the Peter the Great Bay (Sea of Japan) from 1992 to 2006, the ontogenetic stages of this species were described for the first time. It is shown that P. barbata has a planktonic larval stage in its development. The major morphologic features that are typical for larvae and juveniles during their development were revealed. It was shown that snout length, head length and pectoral fin size are increased with growth; at the same time body height and eye diameter are decreased, and the nature of larval pigmentation is changed. The main differences between P. barbata and close species are shown. Original illustrations of larvae and juvenile are provided.     

Some features of the biology of the mud shrimp Upogebia issaeffi (Balls, 1913) (Decapoda: Upogebiidae) from the subtidal zone of Vostok Bay,Sea of Japan

The study of the biology of the mud shrimp Upogebia issaeffi (Balss, 1913) from the subtidal zone of the Vostok Bay (Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan) revealed that this species occurs at depth of 1–6 m on mixed grounds of boulders, gravel, pebbles, shells of dead clams, and silty sand. The average population density of U. issaeffi in the local aggregation on a bottom transect of 300 m length ranged from 0.2 ± 0.4 to 8.0 ± 3.0 ind./m², the biomass varied from 0.5 ± 1.1 to 78.7 ± 28.3 g/m², or about 2.7% of the total biomass of macrozoobenthos and 51.2% of the biomass of decapod crustaceans, which is characteristic of the habitats of the mud shrimp. The maximum depth of burrowing of U. issaeffi was 65 cm. The aggregation consisted of animals with body lengths of 44–88 mm. The lifespan of U. issaeffi was 2–3 years. An equilibrium ratio of males and females (1: 1.06) was observed in the population. There were egg clutches on pleopods of 81.7% of the females. The body size of the smallest females with eggs was 67 mm. The larger the females were, the more of them were ovigerous individuals. About 4% of individuals of U. issaeffi were infected with the parasitic isopod Orthione griffenis.